nny12972
NY
Senior Member
Joined: 10/25/2006
View Profile
|
Klueck wrote:Anyone figure a good way to put a latch on the screen door to keep pets from pushing it open?
....adjust the latch---but that will mean it'll be a more solid movement of the handle for humans to open it....plexi and pups means scratches---go for the polycarbonate....
I used 1/8" plexi on mine....13 years and it still looks good.
J
|
Gman22
Burlington, Ontario
Senior Member
Joined: 07/03/2008
View Profile
|
Lexan is no doubt stronger and more resistant (I think) to things like yellowing etc... But do you really need bullet proof quality in your trailer's screen door?
The other challenge I found when doing this mod, cutting. The straight cuts are not so bad, just score the plastic and snap. The curved cuts (if your door is a curved top) takes much more patience. For the price of Lexan, I'd have a shop cut it. If they break it, it's their problem. If I break it.....yikes, I'm out close to $100 IIRC. Plexi is cheap enough to make a mistake and replace if need be.
2009 KZ Spree 324BHS (LX)
2003 Ford Expedition 5.4L V8, 3.73
Hensley Arrow HD, McKesh, Prodigy, Champion
|
ddreisbach
Kemah, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 07/10/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
 Offline
|
I covered my screen door with two pieces of plexiglass. The bottom one is a rectangle coming up to the slide opening. The top piece comes down to the bottom piece, with a notch cut out for the slider. I cut the plexiglass with a Roto-Zip and hold it on the outside of the door with Velcro.
I love being able to open the outer door while using the A/C or heat. Sometimes I'll remove just the top panel for fresh air in cool weather.
BTW, plexiglass is harder and more scratch resistant than polycarbonate, even though it's not as 'tough'. Something to keep in mind if you have pets and you're putting it on the inside of the door. Also, I replaced the frosted, tempered glass in the door with 3/16" smoked Lexan.
|
willald
NC
Senior Member
Joined: 07/15/2002
View Profile
|
..Lots of different ways to do this mod, and naturally everyone will tell you their way is best. This is definitely a great one to do, though, regardless of the specifics of how you do it.
As already said, some just leave the center part out, and only install plexiglas (orlexan) on top and bottom part. That way the sliding piece and the latch are not a problem.
We did this mod a few years ago, and my solution was, I installed the plexiglas on the OUTSIDE of screen door, and this allowed me to cover entire door, including the center part without a problem. Slider is on inside, so it does not get in the way. By installing it on the outside, the handle in the center is not in the way, and you can cover that area with plexiglas like the rest of the door. Yes, you do leave out a square 'hole' right where the latch is (regardless whether installed on inside or out), so you can reach the latch.
As for the other question, about securing door so pets (or kids, lol) don't accidentally push it open: Yep, we had that problem, and solved it by installing a small 'hook and eye' latch right above the slider on the screen door. Keeps door from accidentally pushing open, and can be latched/unlatched easily from inside or outside. Very simple, and effective mod. 
As to Lexan vs Plexiglas...Hehe, thats another one you'll get all kinds of opinions on. Lexan is definitely better if you don't mind spending the extra $$ for it. I chose plexiglas, and its worked great so far. If I had it to do over...I'm not sure which one I'd go with, either will work OK. Would depend on how much $$ I had available for the project. Only disadvantage to lexan (besides price) is, its a bit heavier and thicker. The extra thickness may make it tougher to fit the way you want.
One thing I will say, concerning how you attach the plexiglas in place: Do NOT take the tempting, easy way out using velcro strips. Most folks who do that, eventually regret it later, and wish they had not. Reason being, those velcro pieces eventually peel off and quit working, and plexiglas will fall off. Best approach is to use a bunch of clips/tabs that you attach to screen door frame with screws. They won't wear out and lose their effectiveness like velcro will with time.
As already said, best to let the place you buy the material from do as much of the cutting as possible. Especially the long, straight cuts, they'll typically do as many of those as you want. Curved cuts, though, you'll have to do yourself. Easy enough to do with a jigsaw, just have to be patient and cautious.
Oh, one other thing: Save, and plan carefully the scrap pieces of lexan/plexiglas you have left over. We used the extra pieces, to cover the back walls around the stove in the trailer with plexiglas. This helps protect the wallpaper and make it much easier to keep clean from grease splatters, etc. I've seen folks also cover the walls around/near the toilet in the bathroom with plexiglas as well, for same reasons.
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2003 Ford Excursion V10 4x4 ("No Taxpayers were harmed by the makers of this truck")
2003 Thor Citation 33M, Hensley Arrow hitch, Brakesmart Brake Control
Our Rig
|
cachingcampers
Niagara Region,Ontario
Senior Member
Joined: 11/13/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I went with lexan, weatherstriped it and screwed ti ti the inside door from. Now it's weather tight and isn't coming off.
Lexan is more impervious to scratching- dogs, kids etc...
Also more expensive. Hey, I paid $30K for my trailer what's a hundred bucks more 
Cutting? I used a jig saw with a fine blade set on HI SPEED, made for real nice cuts. I also covered the jigsaws foot with masking tape just to protect the lexan while I cut it.
Here's a pic of it on my old trailer:
Lexan & weatherstrip
2010 KZ Spree 324BHS-LX- Equal-i-zer,Prodigy,Barker Hi-Power.
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 QC SLT Heavy Duty, 5.7L 4x4
1999 Ford Expediton 5.4 4x4 "Eddie Bauer"
Me-1970
DW-1967
DS-1995
Our Pics & Trips
|
|
|
Center Pin
Fort Langley, BC
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
 Online
|
Klueck wrote:Anyone figure a good way to put a latch on the screen door to keep pets from pushing it open?
I mounted a latch like this to the Lexan
Keeps kids and big dog from poping it open by force.
Trailer: 07 Tango 299BHS
TV: 2004.5 Dodge 610 CTD 3500 QC 48RE 2wd Laramie SRW, FP Gauge, FASS 95/95, Rhino Lining, Hensley Arrow, Reese Signature Series 5er Hitch, Air Bags & Compressor, Canopy, AL Boat Rack.
Been running B100 home brew June 2008!
|
redwake
Visalia, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/18/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Center Pin wrote:Klueck wrote:Anyone figure a good way to put a latch on the screen door to keep pets from pushing it open?
I mounted a latch like this to the Lexan
Keeps kids and big dog from poping it open by force.
doing something like that next year..
question though wouldn't putting lexan on a screen door kind of defeat the purpose of having a screen door? air isn't going to flow through it any more... i guess it makes sense if you want to stay warm but i want to stay cool..
ok i get it answered my own question just thinking out loud.
TT: 08 Monterey 27 PT by Extreme RV
TV: 06 Sierra K1500 SLE Crew - 3.73:1 4x4 w/5.3L
Hitched with a Husky WD & SC.
Powered by Champion 3500
|
Center Pin
Fort Langley, BC
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Online
|
I only did the bottom half of the door to prevent kids and dog from busting through the screen.
|
tomdrobin
Perry, MI
Senior Member
Joined: 06/20/2003
View Profile
|
We bought one of those expandable door block guards used for babies and put it in front of the screen, so poochie doesn't rip the screen. Also, Menards sells some screen guards in a couple of different sizes. I put one on the house patio slider screen after poochie destroyed that screen in his excitement to chase an animal in the backyard.
|
TURK2500
USA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/12/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
mhawk4 wrote:snip.....I need some suggestions and/or tell me what you did....snip
I used Plexiglas for my mod, and attached the three sections with velcro strips for easy removal/cleaning.
Turk2500
05 Jayco Eagle, 278FBS, UVW 7,063lbs, GVWR 9,000lbs.
Tongue Weight: Dry 913lbs/Loaded 1,200lbs.
02 Chevy, 2500HD/4x4, 6.0L/4:10, EC/LS/SB, Prodigy, GCWR 16,000lbs.
TV/TT loaded: 14,700lbs.
Putnam XDR Class V, Reese HP Dual Cam.
00 HD Road King Classic.
|
|
|
|
